Israel sees one of its biggest-ever protests

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis person rallied against authorities plans to overhaul the judicial system, successful what organisers accidental are the biggest thoroughfare protests successful the country's history.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the changes - that would curb the powerfulness of courts - volition reconstruct equilibrium betwixt the branches of government.

Opponents accidental they endanger democracy.

At 1 of Saturday's rallies, absorption person Yair Lapid said this was Israel's "greatest crisis".

In a abstracted development, Israeli troops changeable dormant 3 equipped Palestinians adjacent the West Bank metropolis of Nablus connected Sunday, the Israeli service said. It said the gunmen had fired astatine an Israeli service post.

Palestinian officials person not commented connected the incident. There has been a marked surge successful unit betwixt Palestinians and Israel in caller months.

On Saturday, protestation organisers said arsenic galore arsenic 500,000 demonstrators took to the streets crossed Israel, successful what the Haaretz paper called "the largest objection successful the country's history".

About 200,000 radical turned up successful Tel Aviv, and a grounds assemblage of 50,000 marched successful the bluish metropolis of Haifa.

It was the 10th consecutive week of nationwide protests against the authorities plans.

Speaking successful the confederate metropolis of Be'er Sheva, Mr Lapid warned that the state was facing an unprecedented crisis.

"A question of coercion is hitting us, our system is crashing, wealth is escaping the country. Iran conscionable signed yesterday a caller statement with Saudi Arabia. But the lone happening this authorities cares astir is crushing Israeli democracy," helium said.

Tamir Guytsabry, a protester successful Tel Aviv, told Reuters: "It's not a judicial reform. It's a gyration that [is] making Israel spell to afloat dictatorship and I privation Israel to enactment a ideology for my kids."

The reforms purpose to springiness the elected authorities decisive power implicit the prime of judges, and bounds the quality of the Supreme Court to regularisation against the enforcement oregon onslaught down legislation.

The contented has caused heavy divides successful Israeli nine and, significantly, has seen reservists - the backbone of Israel's subject - threatening to garbage to service arsenic a mode of showing their opposition.

Last Monday, successful an unprecedented move, dozens of reserve combatant pilots successful an elite Israeli Air Force squadron said they would not study for training. They aboriginal reversed people and agreed to be and clasp talks with their commanders.

On Thursday, protesters blocked roads and attempted to halt Mr Netanyahu flying retired of the country. He aboriginal took disconnected for Rome.

The authorities has stood steadfast successful the look of the uproar, claiming the protests are being fuelled by governmental opponents.

Critics accidental the planned reforms, which are already making their mode done parliament, volition politicise the judiciary and could pb to an authoritarian government.

Mr Netanyahu says the reforms are designed to halt the courts overreaching their powers and that they were voted for by the Israeli nationalist astatine the past election.